Ninnescah Reserve

Viola, KS 67149

Ninnescah outlook


The Ninnescah Reserve came to 蹤獲扦 from Ms. Louise Powell as two separate gifts. The initial 69.6 ha (171.9 +/簫 acres) were acquired in 1984, with the remaining 65.1 ha (160.8 +/簫 acres) in 1985. The late Ms. Powells generous donation came with the request that the property be restored to a prairie ecosystem and utilized for research and education. Through the tireless efforts of dedicated faculty, especially D.A. (Doc) Distler, the property now consists of nearly 80% restored and native prairie while about 20% of the property is comprised of riparian and woodland habitats.

The site consists of about 332 acres of which, 66 acres of native mixed grass prairie and more than 200 acres of restored tall and mixed grass species, riparian and road border woodlands, wetlands, and stream tributary sites along a mile of the Ninnescah River. The entire area is fenced, except along the river, and has been divided into 33 permanent ten acre plots marked by steel poles. The geology, depth of ground water, and archeological sequence of the site have been determined. Burning, mowing, and haying are the major management practices on the prairie segments. As a result of recent BioBlitz activities and ongoing research, more than 530 species have been recorded for the Ninnescah Reserve: 289 vascular plants, 168 birds, 33 mammals, 16 fish, 17 reptiles, and 7 amphibians.

West view of Ninnescah River

Ninnescah River

Viewed from the east

Restored mixed-grass prairie

Restored mixed-grass prairie

Utilized for research and educational purposes

Little Mouth Salamander in Glass dish

Smallmouth Salamander

Rediscovered after more than 20 years of absence on the reserve

 
Group of students standing in a field, observing the native plant species

Ongoing Research

In an attempt to enhance methods of restoring prairie ecosystems, Dr. Houseman and his students are testing how uniformed and aggregated seed dispersal and soil heterogeneity influence species richness in plant communities.

 

Ninnescah Reserve past Bio-Blitzes

If you are interested in utilizing the Ninnescah Reserve, or the Field Station Building, please contact the manager, Dexter Mardis, at (620) 584-6627.